Friends, family organize benefit in memory of Jonathan Grioli

Friends of Jon Grioli have scheduled an event to help cover funeral costs for the 25-year-old Clayton man found dead in Magnolia. The benefit is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday night at Willow Run Community Center, 625 Horsepen Road, Felton, DE.

Delaware State Police continue to investigate the suspicious death of Jonathan A. "Jon" Grioli, who was found dead in Magnolia Nov. 3.

The Delaware Office of the Medical Examiner has ruled that the cause of Grioli's death was blunt force trauma, but the manner of death has not been determined, State Police Master Cpl. Gary Fournier said Tuesday. That means that anything could have happened, including being struck by a car or with a blunt object, he said.

Grioli, of Clayton, was just 25 years old at the time of his death. He was employed at The Green Stinger Sports Bar & Grill in Woodside.

As family and friends wait patiently for more answers, they have organized a benefit for Grioli on Friday night followed by a memorial service on Saturday. That includes friends Mike Calloway, who ran into Grioli frequently at The Green Stinger in Woodside, and Richard Dye Jr., who took leave from the U.S. Air Force to in Kent County this week.

Calloway met Grioli through a mutual friend a few years ago and has kept in good contact since in large part because of their affinity for music.

IF YOU GO

WHAT Friends are holding a benefit for funeral expenses for the late Jonathan A. "Jon" Grioli, who was a big music fan and talented bassist. It will be an all-ages event featuring a diverse collection of musical acts.

WHEN 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16

WHERE Willow Run Community Center, 625 Horsepen Road, Felton

COST $5 to $10, all ages

INFO See "Jon Grioli's Memorial Service" page on Facebook.com

"He was my go-to guy for any problem computer related, and I had the pleasure of jamming with him a few times," Calloway said. "Jon was an excellent bassist. I did run into him frequently at The Green Stinger. He was easy to spot poking his head out of the kitchen while bands were playing.

"Jon was many things to lots of people," he said. "He always knew how to make someone laugh when they needed it or to sit and listen to them in times of distress. When a friend needed help he was always there, no matter what."

The news of Grioli's sudden death left most of his friends at a loss, Calloway said.

"It's hard to accept that someone who was always just a phone call away is just gone," he said. "It is extremely disappointing to all of us. We are all patiently waiting the medical examiner's report. I would like Jon to be brought up in context about how he lived his life, something memorable he did or said instead of some tabloid-esque rumor about the way he died."

Page 2 of 2 - Friends of Grioli hope that the benefit show they have planned for Friday at 7 p.m. sharp at the Willow Run Community Center will pay for the entire cost of his memorial service.

The service is to be held at the Pippin Funeral Home in Camden at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The service is open to friends and family, and a wake/reception will be held at The Green Stinger after the services.